Thursday is a post–hardcore band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, formed in 1997. The band released their first full–length album Waiting in 1999 on New Jersey based indie record label Eyeball Records. The band came from a DIY background, and their first album can be compared to that of Four Hundred Years and early Cursive.

Thursday emerged from the underground indie scene at the turn of the 21st century, attracting the attention of Victory Records. Garnering significant commercial radio airtime with the single "Understanding In A Car Crash" from their breakthrough second album Full Collapse, the band landed a major label record deal with Island Records. The result of this deal was War All The Time, the group's third album, which was released in September 2003.
Thursday's sound is based upon both post–punk atmospherics and hardcore's visceral instrumentation. Droning and chiming guitar riffs layered atop heavy bass lines echo Thursday's British influences such as The Cure, The Smiths, and Joy Division as well as New York City's Sonic Youth. This element serves as a connection between Thursday and presently popular art rock bands like Interpol and Cursive. Odd time signatures, tempo and key changes, and multi–sectional song structures also play a prominent role, akin to progressive rock bands such as Yes and Rush.

Lyrically, vocalist Geoff Rickly concentrates on the struggles of living in the world today using violent imagery coupled with beautiful and shimmering phrases. Rickly cites Dennis Johnson, Michael Palmer, Jim Carroll, and William Burroughs as major influences. Furthermore, some of the more memorable imagery from Full Collapse and War All The Time are borrowed from the book White Noise by Don Delillo, a novel that Rickly has recommended to fans via the band's website.

Thursday have played with other modern rock groups including At the Drive–In, Boy Sets Fire, Hot Water Music, Sparta, and AFI, as well as with goth rock/New Wave legends The Cure. The band has also appeared on the Vans Warped Tour, billed on the main stage in 2002 and 2004. They have also been announced for 2006's bill.